Jonny Wilkinson set to retire from rugby

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who famously won the 2003 Rugby World Cup for England with a drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia, will play his final two games for French club Toulon before hanging up his boots at the end of the month.

Wilkinson's side will face Saracens in the Heineken Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday before his final bow in the French Top 14 final against Castres on May 31.

"I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby," he said in a statement released on Toulon's official website.

"It goes without saying that I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England.

"This however is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season.

"I sincerely thank you all for everything you have given me and for making these last 17 years something I will never forget."

Wilkinson retired from international rugby in 2011 after earning 91 caps.

He became one of five men to score more than 1,000 points in international rugby and his tally of 1,246 is second only to New Zealand's Dan Carter.

Aside from his World Cup win, Wilkinson also has four Six Nations titles (2000, 2001, 2003 and 2011) and one Six Nations Grand Slam title (2003) to his name.

Sources: RC Toulon official website, Daily Telegraph